• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » Musical name-dropping, global style
Life

Musical name-dropping, global style

Facebook Tweet
Mary Clare Fischer   July 13, 2011

Over the years, various musicians have released songs that reference this great land of ours: “American Girl” (Tom Petty), “Born in the USA” (Bruce Springsteen) and more recently, “Party in the USA” (Miley Cyrus). But do musicians mention other cultures in their works? In what ways? Listen to my international playlist as I try to find out.

10. China—Tori Amos

While Amos isn’t really talking about the eastern nation of censorship and population control, she does use a Great Wall metaphor to explain the heartbreaking feeling that comes when your significant other grows distant. We feel you, Tori.

9. Cedars of Lebanon—U2

Though I don’t love this melody, U2’s lyrics are always brilliantly profound. They transport you to another world and a different perspective.

8. Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)—Jay-Z, Bono & Rihanna


trending

470

10 Student Organizations Breaking the Mold at Berkeley

188

Top 10 Spots Around Emerson College to Get Inspired

164

Top 10 Ways to Spot a UT Austin Alum


Part of the Hope for Haiti album fundraiser, “Stranded” represents Bono’s newest venture into charitable music, this time teaming up with two of the biggest names in mainstream music to help out after the disastrous Haiti earthquake.

7. Japan—The Lonely Island

I’m a huge fan of The Lonely Island, and I cannot wait until they make this video. “We’re three cool white friends in Japan; we’ve never been to Japan so we wrote a song about the three of us in Japan, and our label has to pay for it.” YES.

6. England—The National

Literally the identical message as Amos’ “China.” But The National has a great sound, and you can never have too many songs about the pitfalls of love, right?

5. I Still Call Australia Home—Peter Allen

There are very few classic crooners still out there (check out Track #3 on my Summer Indie Playlist to hear my new favorite in that department), and Peter Allen displays a simple but powerful sense of nostalgia that tugs at the heartstrings.

4. Blame Canada—Matt Stone and Trey Parker (South Park)

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh South Park.

3. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)—The Beatles

Sadly, Grooveshark doesn’t seem to be able to play real Beatles songs but an international playlist would not be complete without the group that changed history, so I advise you to look up the original version on iTunes or YouTube. This is an adorable little ditty in true Beatles form.

2. Queen of Denmark—John Grant

Utterly satirical and a little ridiculous, “Queen of Denmark” ‘s only reference to Denmark is the last line: “Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next queen of Denmark.” But isn’t that how a lot of alternative music has evolved? Enough with the random titles that have absolutely nothing to do with the song. Mini-rant over.

1. Song of Bangladesh—Joan Baez

A ‘70s oldie, “Song of Bangladesh” is the epitome of songs that mention countries: an anthem raising awareness of the horrible conditions in said country. Sad but at least it’s using the power of celebrity to change the world. You go, third world. 

Listen to our playlist here:

 

About Mary Clare Fischer

Freshman > Journalism and Government > University of Maryland

The Art of the Hot Girl Walk

I Used to Outrun My Feet

What I Wish I Had Known About Mental Health So I Wouldn’t Have to Call Myself a College Dropout

Ant-Man Opens the Doors for Marvel’s New Phase

10 Boba Tea Spots for Houston College Students

10 Ways to Have Fun with Your Friends Indoors

Do You Actually Care, Or Do You Want to Look Like You Do?

unsplash.com

Top Ten Inspirational Quotes from Your Favorite Sports TV Shows

I lived with my three best friends. Here’s how it went.

Previous Post:Music mixes by fictional characters
Next Post:Out of the Closet and Into the World

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding